Book Clubs & New Chapters

Having just written my first book (in case I haven’t mentioned it… which I absolutely have, loudly and often, like a proud toddler showing off a macaroni necklace), I’ve been thinking a lot about book clubs. So, I started snooping around to see what local ones were out there. And honestly? I’m a little annoyed at myself for not doing this sooner.

I mean, I’m the woman who keeps a book by the bed, one in the car, one on the table next to the couch, and one tucked in my purse like a literary emergency kit. If there’s a spare five minutes, I’m reading. If there’s a long line, I’m reading. If there’s a boring conversation… well, I’m polite, but I’m thinking about reading. And yes, I own a Kindle, but nothing beats a real book. The feel. The smell. The ability to dog‑ear a page without a device tattling on you. The joy of scribbling in the margins like you’re annotating the Dead Sea Scrolls.

When I finish a book, I take it to the office, slap a sticky note on it that says “free to a good home,” and leave it in the copy room like a benevolent book fairy. By lunchtime, it’s gone — adopted, loved, and hopefully not used as a doorstop.

Lately, I’ve been embracing life more — saying yes to things that bring joy, curiosity, or at least a good story. So, when my friend Amber suggested joining a book club at The Dragonfly Book Bar https://www.dragonfly-bb.com/, a cozy bookstore‑meets‑wine‑bar in downtown Bristol, Virginia, I didn’t hesitate. A bookstore AND a wine bar. That’s basically my version of Disneyland. Plus, if I want to see my book in someone’s hands one day, why wouldn’t I want to support other authors living that dream right now?

A new story, a good friend, a trendy bookstore, a glass of wine, and a room full of people who also love to talk about books… why would I not want to join in. This is peak “main character energy,” and I’m leaning in like I’ve been waiting for this plot twist.

I think the reason I never did this before is simple: time. I was busy raising a child. When you’re used to carpooling, a house full of teenagers, and all the beautiful chaos that comes with it, and then they suddenly fly the coop, it’s hard to downshift. The silence is suspicious. The calendar is empty. And you start wandering around the house like, “What… what do people do for fun again?”

But now that I’m easing out of supermom mode (let’s be honest, I’m still on call 24/7 and often insert myself even when I’m not needed… you can’t turn the mom thing off), I’ve started saying yes to things that might be fun, fulfilling, or simply new.

So, book club — ready or not — here I come. And I’m bringing my highlighters, my opinions, and my wine glass. Consider yourselves warned.